Friday, 4 December, 2015
WORLD CLASS BENDIGO HOSPITAL WORKS POWER AHEAD The interior of the $630 million world-class new Bendigo Hospital is quickly taking shape with Victoria’s largest ever regional hospital project on track to open to patients in 2017. Premier Daniel Andrews today joined local members Jacinta Allan and Maree Edwards to tour the busy construction site for the first time inspecting the state-of-the-art fit out of the hospital’s new maternity ward. The massive project signed off by Labor in 2010 is on budget and on time to be completed by the end next year. The redevelopment has reached many major milestones in 2015 including the completion of the building’s structure. The focus of work is now on finishes such as flooring, lighting, electrical, painting, fixtures and fittings, as well as the installation of medical equipment in the operating theatres and wards and plant equipment such as boilers, chillers, water treatment units and air conditioning. The maternity unit will feature 25 maternity beds – up from the current 18 – and an additional three birthing suites, taking the total number of suites to seven. The final project will deliver a world-class hospital with 372 inpatient beds, 72 same-day beds, 10 operating theatres, an integrated cancer centre and an 80-bed mental health unit. The Andrews Labor Government is delivering $2.1 billion in extra funding that will support Victoria’s hospitals to meet increasing demand, expand and improve services and care, and reduce waiting times. This also includes, as recommended by the Travis Review, funding to expand critical care capacity at Bendigo Health to treat an extra 160 patients every year. Quotes attributable to Premier, Daniel Andrews “Labor is committed to ensuring Bendigo families can access the world’s best healthcare, when they need it most, and close to home.” “We want to see Victorians treated sooner and waiting lists reduced. That’s why we’re giving our health services the support they need to do just that.” Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan “From 2017, Bendigo families will be able to access a truly world class hospital that will meet demand for high quality health care for many years to come.” Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards “This is fantastic project that will give Central Victoria the hospital they need as our area continues to grow and prosper.”
Media Contact: Lisa Tucker 0421 597 669 |
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